Coin actuated change mechanism



May 26, 1931.

W. H. RUSSELL GOIN ACTUATED CHANGE IECHANISI I Filed- June 30, l1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 May26, 1931. w. H. RUSSELL 1,807,175

com ACTUATED CHANGE uEcHANIsu Filed June 50, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 inventor May 26, 1931. w. H. RussELx. 1,807,175

GOIN ACTUATED CHANGE IECHANISK Filed June 30, 1924 v4 Sheets-Sheet 3 j y I el ttor nf .4

May 25, 1931- w. H. RUSSELL? 1,807,175

I COIN` ACTIJATED CHANGE KECHANISI Filed June 30. 1924 4 sheets-sheet 4 Parental May 2e, 1931 VUNITED STATES WILLIAM H. RUSSELL, NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT COIN AGTUATED CHANGE MECHANISM Application nled June 30,

This invention relates to change making machines, and it is especially designedfor the purpose of returning change or coins of Y `smaller' denomination for a coin of larger denomination deposited-in the slot of the machine. The amount of change returned is automatically determined by the size of the coin deposited in the machine, thus `five pennies are returned for a nickel, a nickel and five pennies for a dime, a dime, two nickels and ive'pennies for a quarter, and a quarter, a dime, two nickels and five pennies are returned for a half-dollar. It will be obvious as the description proceeds that the device is calculated-to serve not only as a change making mechanism, but may also Vhe used to deduct any desired amount from the deposited coin so as to collect a fare, and return the balance, when a coin is deposited.

` 2o The device may, therefore, be used as a farecollector as well as a change machine, and for this reason is particularly applicable for use in connection with pay-as-,you-enter cars, so as to avoid the necessity of conductors handling any ofthe passengers money, and in fact, may do .away entirely with the services of the conductor and thus lessen the cost of operation of the cars.

One object of the invention, therefore, is to provide an improved change making machine which will be simple in construction and operation, and while servingr to make change for all denominations of coins will be relatively economical to manufacture.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character described which will be relatively economical .to manufacture' and which xwill, at the same time, operate eiiiciently and accurately to automatically return a given amount of change for any coin deposited therein.

Astill further object of the invention is the provision of a change making machine for automatically returning change for coins of various denominations, in which all of the coins may be inserted through a common slot, the coins being properly handled by the 'machine after their roper amount of change is returned.

A still further object of the invention is 'chine which will automatically be closed nism of the machine, the case being shown the machine;

deposit therein s o that the 1924. Seria1`No. 723,213.

to provide a machine of this character which may be adjusted so as to select the-coins veryaccurately according to their size, in order that the proper amount of change Will-be returned, and will return to the depositor any coin which the machine is not designed to handle, such as pennies, for example, for which-no change would be given and which would not be sufficient to pay a fare.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a machine of this character which may not be operated by slugs and various imitation coinsV which people sometimes attempt to use in such machines, and to provide a maagainst further operation when the supply of change coins therein is exhausted.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in the novel features and combination of parts to be hereinafter described and 70 claimed.

In the accompanying drawings: v Fig. 1 is a perspective view7 of a coin actuated change machine embodying my improvements; p Fig.'2 is a .topplan view of the machine with the cover removed to expose the interior mechanism; I

Fig. 3 is a side View of the interior mechain section;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but taken from the opposite side of the machine, and showing the parts in a different position; j

Fig.,5 is Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 2, showing the progress of a coin through a sectional view on line 5 54 of Fig. 6*ai is a 'detailed view; Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line 7-7 of r ig. 2;A v y Fig. ,8 is a sectional view, looking in theopposite direction, on line 85-8 of Flg. 2;

Fig. 9 is a rear elevational view of a modification of my machine, and,

Fig. 10 shows a modified form of coin ejector; W

The device which 1 have Snecma e mus- 100 trate and describe as a preferred embodiment of my invention is enclosed in a case 10, provided with a single coin slot 11, through which the coins of all denominations are insei-ted and through the front wall of which projects an operating handle 12 through which the necessary power is supplied to cause the coin to manipulate the proper mechanism to deliver the required amount of change to the change hopper 13, from which it may be removed by the passenger or depositor of the coin.

As shown more especially in Fig. 6, a plurality of slides 14, 14, 14 and 14 are movably mounted upon the slideways l5, 15, 15b and 15, one of these slides being provided for each denomination of coin which the machine is designed to handle. The slides are provided with coin openings 16, 16, 16b and 16 which are graduated in size, the largest opening 16`being at the top. The effective size of these openings may be very finely adjusted by means of small leaf springs ,or the like 17, 17, 17b and 17 which are adjustably mounted upon'the lower faces of the slides so that they may be moved in a .direction to cause their ends to project over the sides of the coin openings 16, 16a, 16b and 16 and limit the size of these openings. These .3 springs are 'secured to the slides adjacent their rear ends so that the front part of the spring enjoys `a certain amount of freedom, and if a slug or disk which is heavier than the legal coin `of that size, such as a lead slug, for example, is inserted in the machine, the

Aprojecting end 'of the spring will .be depressed and permit the coin to pass through the machine without operating it.

Connected to the handle 12 are a number of pushers 19, 19, 19b and'19, one being provided for each of the coin slides previously described. The free ends of extend overl and rest freely'upon the slides referred to and are provided at their ends with V-shaped notches 20, 20, 20b and 20 shown more especially in Figs. 6 and 7 in which are mounted rollers 20. The notches being adapted to embrace the edge of the coin and as will be hereinafter explained the rollers push the coin forwardly in .the machine and through the coin actuate one of the slides to operate the machine. The pushers are also provided-at the rear end of the V-shaped slots with pins 21, 21, 21b and 21 b so that when a coin is inserted in the ma.- chine which might' be too large to enter the coin opening in vany of the slides it will be pushed off one ofthe slideways 17,- 17", 17b and 17c and will be A guide rod 22 is provided upon the handle and is surrounded by a coiled spring 23 which normally urges the handle to an outward position so that it will be returned to the proper operating position after it has been pushed inwardly.

lchine freely from one to the these pushers4 returned to the depositor.,

yof and cause itto fall into the chute 26.

pairs of guide plates 24, 24,

so that a coin may drop through the maother. Pairs are inserted between plates across the slots proas to properly guide the will fali downwardly into and coin receptacle 27, from which they may be removed through the door 28 which may be locked, as shown at 292 to prevent unauthorized removal of the coms. Upon the top of the case is provided a guide 25, which serves the same purpose as the pinspreviously described and guides the coin of largest dimension, or half-dollar, as illustrated in the present machine, and causes it to be depressed so that it will fall in the coin chute 26.

As shown in Fig. 2', one of the upper plates of pins 25, 25b and 25 the corresponding vided thereby so coins so that they the coin chute 26 '24 is cut away adjacent the coin slot and is replaced by a magnet 32 which acts asa guide' in conjunction with the other plate 24, and also serves .to attract and hold any iron or steel slug, which unlike a lead slug, `would not be suliiciently heavy to depress the ends of the springs 17, etc., but would operate the machine in the same manner as a coin.

Swinging detents 33, 33, 33b and 33 arepivoted at 34, 34, 34b and 34 to one of each of the pairs of plates 24, 24, 24b and 24. These detents are formed to swing to the leftv as shown in Fig.

in that ligure by stop 35. When a coin is inserted in the machine and falls into the coin opening in one of the slides whereby the coin and slide move forwardly, it might be possible to move the slide and coin to a suiicient extent'to operate the machine before the coin was pushed downwardly by the pins 25, 25", etc., and the handle might then be returned to its operating posiand is caught by one'of the pushers 6, but are prevented from swinging to the right of the positions shown pins 35, 35, 35" and tion from which the change mechanism could e again operated by the same coin, and it might be possible for a depositor to get more change than he was entitled to in this manner. With the provisionof the swinging de-l tents 33, 33. 33", etc., such manipulation of themechanism, is not possible, for while the detents may swing to the left of the position showniin Fig. 6 to rmit the coin to Apass they will not permit 1t to return Aso as to again operate the machine, but will rpush it out of the slot in the slide over the'front edge there- 40 at the rear of the device which are, in the' particular machine shown, designed to contain pennies.- Four other coin'hoppers are` shown, two of which, 41 and 42, are designed to contain nickels, 43, dimes, and 44, quarters. It will, of course, be understoody that various changes may be made in the particular coins forl which the chutes. are designed according to the denominations of the coins which the machine is designed tohandle. A coin ejector 45 is arranged for each of the hoppers 40, the five ejectors all being connected to a bar 46 which is, in turn, connected by means of the arm 47 to the slide 14D which may be termed the nickel slide, as the slot 16b therein is calculated to receive and hold a nickel coin in operating position. VThe ejectors 45 are provided with a shouldered portion 48, adjacent their ends, so that each will catch and eject the lowermost coin in the hopper with which it is associated. It will be apparent, therefore, that when a nickel is inserted in the slot 11 it will fall through the half-dollar opening 16 and quarter opening 16a and will lodge in the nickel opening 16b in the slide 14". rlhe operation of the handle will cause the pusher bar 19b to engage the edge of the coin and by moving the coin will move the slide 14b to the. left, as shown in Fig. 6. The arm 47 connected to the slide will likewise be moved to the left and will impart a similar movement to the bar 46,

which will cause each of the ejectors 45 to eject one coin from each of the hoppers 40 so that the depositor of the nickel will receive five cents in change.

Each of the hoppers 40 is provided'with a small opening 50 in one side thereof, and a pawl 51 pivoted at 52 to each of the ejectors 45 is designed to catch in the opening 50 when the supply of coins is so low that there is no coin opposite this opening.. and retain the ejector and the attached slide in their forward positions so as to indicate to any future depositor of coins that the supply is exhausted and the machine will no longer operate. lhen the nickel slide is in a forward position the coin slot 11 is closed by means of a plate 54, which as shown more especially inFig. 7, is secured ,to an arm 58, the arm 5S being secured in turnto the nickel slide 14h. As will be explained hereinafter, the

slides are so arranged that the nickel slide is moved each time the handle 12 is pushed inwardly so that whenever the machineis operated the slot 11 is closed until the slide is returned to its original position. A spring 59eserves the purpose of returning this slide after the machine has been-operated. Springs 52a are arranged upon the pawls 51 to urge them into the openings 50 at the proper time. The openings 50 are usually arranged so that the pawls 51 will catch therein when there is still one coin left in the hopper, as accord ing to the arrangement ofthe ejectors 48 .3

thecoins which are delivered to the user of 1 Ithe machine are not always pushed off the ej ectors upon the outward movement thereof but are pushed ofi' bythe next coin in the hopper `upon the return movement of the ejectors. For instance, as shown in Fig. 4, the ejectors have been moved forwardly andthe coin, which has been pushed out of the hopper, mayremain upon the ejector until the return movement thereof when it is pushed olf the ejector by contact with the lowermost coin j in the hopper.

, The dime slide 14c is connected by means of the arm 61 with a coin ejector'l 62 which operates in connection with the nickel hopper 42. The ejector 62 is provided with a spring pressed pawl 63 which operates similarly to the pawls 51 previously described. To the dime slide is also secured an arm 64 which extends upwardly in front of the nickel slide 14b so as to engage the latter slide and move itfforwardly when the dime slide is moved. As has been previously explained, the nickel slide is connected to the five penny ej ectors, and the dime slide being connectuntil it engages in the slot 17c whereby when the handle is moved fonwardly it will causev the dime slide 14C andthe nickel slide'14bvto -ico-` .ed to one of the nickel ejectors and also arl be operated, and the depositor will receive ai nickel and live pennies in change.

lt may be here stated that if itis desired to collect a fare from the inserted coin instead of returning the entire change to the depositor,

any of the ejectors may be disconnected or the coin hoppers removed so that any desired amount may be deducted from the change.

For instance, if it was desired to collect a"4 fare of ivecents the arm 47 could be disconnected or the five ejectors 45, so that whenl a nickel was deposited in thel machine no change would be returned, and when a dime was deposited in the machinelonly a nickel would be returned. Likewise, if 1t was de.

sired to deduct an odd amount, seven cents for instance, from a dime, the nickel ejector 62 and two of the penny ejectors 45 could be disconnected and three cents would' be returned to the depositor of a dime in the machine.

The quarter slide 14a is connected by means of the arm'65 to an ejector 66, which cooperates with theV other-.nickel hopper 41, the f ejector 66 being provided with the spring pressed pawl 67 which operates similar to the pawl 51, and the slide is also connected by means of the arm 68 to the ejector 69 which cooperates with the dime hopper .43 and -is rovided with the spring pressed pawl 70.

o the slide 14a is also secured a bar 71, as shown in Fig. 5, which extends downwardly and abuts against the rearedges of both the nickel slide 14b and the dime slide 14, so that when the quarter slide is operated both the nickel and the dime slides are also actuated. It will be apparent, therefore, that when a quarter is inserted into the slot 11 and serves to actuate the slide 14a through the pusher 19a, the slides 14" and 14 will also be operated. The slide 14b will, as has been previously explained, cause the ejection of live pennies Y j from the hoppers, while the slide 14c will cause the ejection of a nickel from the hopper 42. The slide 14a being connected to ejectors cooperating with both the nickel hopper 41 and the dime hopper 43; through the arms and 68, will also cause a dime and another nickel to be ejected and deposited in the change hopper 13. It will be seen, therefore, thatthe depositor of a quarter receives a dime, two nickels and live pennies in change. Likewise, the half-dollar slide 14 is connected by means of the arm 75 to an ejector 76 which cooperates with the quarter hopper 44, and is provided with the usual spring pressed pawl 77. To the slide 14 is also secured an arm 78 which projects downwardly in front of the quarter slide 14EL so that the quarter slide is actuated whenever the halfdollar slide is moved. It has already been explained that the operation of the quarter slide serves to return twenty-five cents in change to the depositor, and therefore, it will be obvious that the operation of the half-dol# lar slide which is connected to the quarter slide, and which is also connected to the ejector 76, which cooperates with the quarter hopper will serve to return to the depositor fifty cents-in change, the amount consisting of a quarter from the quarter hopper, and a dime, two nickels and five pennies which will be delivered by the actuation of the quarter slide.

It will be obvious from the foregoing .description that any desired amount may be deducted from any of the coins if a fare is t0 be collected, or if not, that the entire amount of change will be returned to the depositor.'

The coins which are ejected from the various hoppers fall upon an inclined plate 79 which delivers them to the change hppper 13. A guard plate.80 may change hopper to prevent anyone tampering with the mechanism of the device. v

The progress of a coin through the machine is shown more especially in Fig. 6, wherein a quarter is illustrated as having been inserted through the slot .11. The coin drops vcoin so as to b'e arranged above thev coin, the opposite edge contacting with the front edge of the slide. TheA coin and slide. are moved forwardly, the swinging detent 33 being swung upwardly by contact with the permit the latter to pass. As previously explained, the change mechanism will be operated by the forward motion of the slide. The coin is frictionally held between the pusher and the front edge of the slot in the plate 14a until it strikes the .lower of the two pins 25a by which itis pushed downwardly through the'slot in the slide 14a against the tensioneof the projecting end of the spring 17a, the coin falling free from the slide and striking the two lower pins 25b by which it is guided into the chute 26.

Assuming, however, that the opera-tor. tries to push the handle forwardly to a sufficient extent to operate the change mechanism, but not to such an extent as to cause the coin to be ejected from the slide 14a by the pin 25, the return of the pusher and slide by their respective springs will cause the edge of the coin to engage the detent 33a which has returned by gravity to the position shown in Fig. 6, and the coin will be pushed -out of the slot over the edge of the plate 14a and will strike the upper pin 25b and be delivered to the chute 26 as before.

f a penny is inserted into the slot 11 such 4forwardly over the front edge of the slide 14c and fall upon the plate 79 instead of into the chute 26, so that the coin will be returned to the operator.

Substantially the same operation will take place if a lead slug were inserted into the slot 11. Sucha slug would be sufficiently heavy to overcome thetension of any of the springs .1.7, 17a or 17h so that the coin would not be retained in a slot of the proper size in any of the plates but would drop freely through the device until it lodged in a slot which was too small to allow the entry of the slug to a sufficient extent to operate the slide so that it would be -actedupon in the same manner as a penn lwhen caught in the slot in the dime' the pusher 19 serves to lnickel slide, provided with arms which abut the front nickel slide 14b where, upon actuation of the pusher 19", it would be pushed over the edge oi the slide and returned to the depositor.

I, however, a steel or iron-slug were inserted in the machine, such a slug would be caught by the magnet 32 and would be pushed oi the magnet by the pin 21 and fall freely between the plates 24, 24a, etc. prior to its reaching the edge of theslot 26, so that it would fall upon the plate 7 9.- l

It will be obvious that as the nickel slide 14? is moved whenever the machine is operated by a coin of any denomination, it will only be necessary to connect the closure plate 54 which closes the slot 11 with the one slide, and likewise it will only be necessary to connect the slide returning spring 57 to t the as all of the other slides are edge of the nickel slide so that the return of the latter will eiiect the return of all of the. other slides.

In Fig. 9 of the drawings l have shown a slightly modified form of my invention wherein individual coin chutes 26a, 26", 26

and 26d are provided so that the coins of each denomination are caught separately and delivered to separate compartments 27 a, 2,7, 27 and 27d from which they may be removed.

'In Fig. l0 of the drawings l have shown a modied form of ejector mechanism which all the; details shown serves to eject Ythe coin upon the outward stroke instead of upon the return stroke as is the case with the ejectors shown in connection with Figs. 1 to 8 oi the drawings. rlhe coin hopper 100 is in this instance provided with a bottom plate .101 which serves as a rest for the coins, and a slideway for the ejector 102. The front edge 103 oi the ej ector in this instance, most coin 104 in the hopper, so as to push this coin from oli the support 101 upon the outward movement of the ejector. lt will be understood that such an ,ejector may be substituted for 1a`ny oi the ejectors shown for 2 o the drawings, if ,de-

Whilel have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will beunderstood that it is not to be limited to but is capable of modiicati'oii'fg'and variation within the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

What l claim is:

1. 1n a change making machine, a' plurality of o rating members, means for directmg til onethereof is selected by the coin, a plurality oi coin stacks, means for causing t e j ejection of coin from certain of said stacks the coins normally intended upon the actuation of each of said operating members and means for eject'ng slugs from .said mechanism of diierent diameters than to operate the contacts with the lower- Y stac a com 'successively past said members unsame, said members remaining inoperative during the ejection of the slugs.

2. In a change maki a plurality of slides movably mounted therein, oneabove the other, said slides being provided with registering openings ing sizes and increasing in size from the lowerniost to the `uppermost slide, means for guiding a deposited ings whereby it may fall reely'through the slides until lodged in the opening of the proper size to retain the coin, an operating member for moving said slides through the agency of the coin when the coin is o a predetermined size, a plurality of coin stacks, and means connected to said slides to deliver coins from said stacks to the depositor according to the denomination of the deposited coin.

3. In a change making coin depositing slot, a plurality of change mechanism operating members, a plurality of coin magazines, means b vwhicha coin deposited in said slot will'be delivered to the corresponding operating member, means for engaging the coins toi operate the last named members; a slot closing member, and means whereby the slot closing member will be actuated to close the slot during the operation of the change mechanism, regardless of the denomination .of and means for retaining said slot closing member in position to close the slot when the supply of change coins in any of the magazines is exhausted. Y

4. ln a change making machine, a coinslot, coin selected mechanism or delivering change to the depositor according to the denomination of the deposited' coin, said mechanisin including change ejecting means and means forl holding coins oi` certain sizes in position to operate said ejecting means, said means holding coins of other sizes upon insertion thereof in the mechanism in position to be returned to the depositor, and means to return such coins of other sizes to the depositor upon operation of said mechang machine, a frame,

machine, a single the deposited coin,-

of vary-` coin into said opening mechanism.

5. ln a change making machine, a plurality of coin stacks, coin. controlled means for ejecting coins from said stacks, and means for holding said coin controlled means against operation when the in said stacks reaches a predetermined posi- .tion comprising ejector niiechanism.,` sai ksvbeing provided with slots therein and means on said ejector mechanism to engage in said slots. 6. In a'change ymakin-g machine, a coin sta'ck, an ejector for ejecting coins fromsai stack, an -actuating member connected to and operating with said ejector and adapted to receive and temporarily support a coin of a particular denomination, means adapted 'to engage a coin of the particular denomination level oi the coins r.

when supported in said member and by presbeing ejected vyithout causing the operation sure on the com to actuate said member, said of said member.

nomination from the rst named member stack, a slide for operating said ejector, said 70 without producing movement of the ejector. slideebeing provided with a slot adapted to, In a change making machine, a coin receive a coin of a particular denomination, stack, an ejector for ejecting coins from said the size of said slot being such that the coin stack,a slidably mounted member connected of the particular denomination may pass 10 to said ejector and adapted to actuate the therethrough, a spiing finger on the lower 75 same, said member having a s lot therein side of said slide extending part way across adapted to receive and temporarily support said slot and adapted to support a coin of the a Coin of a particular dellomlnatlon, and particular denomination therein, and means l5 ular denomination when supported in said by pressure thereon to operate said slide. 80

-eter than the coin of the particular den0m1- slide .being provided with a slot adapted to nation, Without causing the actuation of said receive a oojn of a particular denomination, 85

slidably mounted member. the size of said slot being such that a coin4 n a change making machine, a pluralof the particular denomination may pass ity of slides having therein registering opeiitherethrough, a spring finger on the lower ings 0f varying sizes, means providing a C0111 side of said slide extending part Way across slot to direct a coin into said openings, means Sald Slot, Sal@ Sprlng fingorboing adapted t0 90 530 operation of said slides, and means for ejectnomination,V and moans for 9. In a change making machine, a coin slots of Varylng Sizes i0 means on said member for supporting -the oaoh of Said Slide to retain the deposited coin in one of said Snpp'ort a ooln of the parmoulaidenominaengaging a coin coins normallyintended to operate the mathereon to aotnato Said sjido chine without causing the operation-of said 13, In a'ohango making machine, a pluslides. rality of slides having therein registering ineansproviding an stac a member for operating said ejector, to retain a deposit-,od co1 said member being provided with a slot to reaoooI-ding to tho Size th ceive a coin of a particular denomination, rooiprooahlo momb l s and adapted to engage coin of particular denominationin the slot,

and means for engaging a coin when so supthereon to actu Ported and throughpressue ther e011 t0 Opel" coin stacks, and means actuated by said slides for ejecting coins from said stacks.

4G mitting the passage of a slug of greater M I h 50 stack, an ejector for ejecting coins from said according to th 55 denomination in said slot in a predetermined 50 of particular denomination when supported 15, In a oha n a c ange making machine, a plu- 11 t e coins are of a predetermined size and to from said stacks.

v nge making machine, a pluin the slot in positions other than the prederality of slides having therein registering termined position, said supporting means slots of varying sizes, means providing an permitting slugs of the-same diameter, but opening to direct a coin into said slots,

c, greater weight than the `coin of particular demeans to retain a deposited coin in one of 5 nomination to pass through the slot, the slugs said slots according to the size thereof, means 130 e size thereof, a plurality 115 or engaging coins when so supported and by pressure thereon to actuate said slides, a plurality of coin stacks, means for e]ecting coms said slides in one direction, and ineans for ejecting the coins from said slots upon move.

ment of said slides in the opposite direct1on.

16. lIn a change making machine, a plurality of slides having registering slots therein of varying sizes, means providing an opening to direct a coin into said slots, means to retain a deposited coin in one of said slots according to the size thereof, means for engaging a coin when so supported and by pressure thereon to actuate said slides, a plurality of coin stacks, and arms carried on said slides adapted to engage coins in said rality of slides stacks and upon actuation of said slides to eject the coins.

17. In a change making machine, a pluhaving registerin slots therein of varying sizes, means provi ing an opening to direct a coin into said slots, means to retain a deposited coin in -one of said slots according to the size thereof, means `lor engaging a coin When so supported and by pressure thereon to actuate said slides, a plurality of'coin stacks, andarms carried on said slides and adapted upon actuation Y thereof to eject coins from said stacks, certain lof said arms being adapted to engage other arms to effect thereof.

In Witness whereof, l have hereunto set my hand this 26 day of une, 1924.

WELL El. RUSSELL.

from said stacks upon Ymovement ofl a simultaneous actuation 

